Molded plastic aerosol cap construction



June 23, 1964 w O'DQNNELL 3,138,295

MOLDED PLASTIC AEROSOL CAP CONSTRUCTION I Filed March 5, 1962 INVENTOR. illiam E. O'Donnell AGENT United States Patent 3,138,295 MOLDED PLASTIC AEROSGL AP CONSTRUCTIGN William R. ODonnell, Trumbull, Conn, assignor to Valve Corporation of America, Bridgeport, Conn, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 177,624 8 Cla ms. (Cl. 222-482) This invention relates to small hand-held aerosol devices of the type employing pressurized containers, and more particularly to the actuator cap constructions of such devices.

The invention concerns improvements in the aerosol cap construction described and claimed in the copending application of Philip H. Sagarin and William R. ODonnell tfiled October 24, 1960, Serial No. 64,614 and now l atent No. 3,104,034 and which has common ownership with the present application. I

The cap construction of this prior copending application comprises a valve actuator button having a top surface of relatively large expanse, which button is vertically slidable in a large or jumboguard-type cap comprising a tubular body open at the top and having an integral angularly inward extending detent flange carried by its bottom portion for the purpose of securely retaining the cap on the pressurized container. In this prior construction the economical molding of the cap and lower detent flange as an integral part thereof necessitated the top of the cap being completely open to avoid complicated molding cavities and equipment. Thus, the valve actuator button had to be completely accessible and fully exposed at the top of the cap construction, such button being applied to the valve stem after the placement of the cap on the contm'ner was completed. With such organization the valve actuator button was readily removable from the erosol device by virtue of the guard cap being fully open at the top and not having any operative detent means which would serve to securely retain the button in its operative position aftersuch button was put in place. In this prior construction the frictional engagement between the actuator button and the valve stem was relied on to effect such retention of the button in the guard cap.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a locking type aerosol cap member which is in some respects similar to the guard cap of the copending application above referred to, but wherein an effective integral detent means is provided on the cap structure in addition to the detent flange which retains the structure on the pressurized container, such additional detent means serving to securely retain the valve actuator button in its operative position in the cap, this being accomplished while still retaining the simplicity of molding of the cap construction, utilizing simple mold cavities which are devoid of movable core parts and the like.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved molded plastic cap construction for an aerosol device of the general type shown in the identified copending application, wherein the cap proper or cap member has molded, integral lower and upper detent means for respectively securing the cap on the pressurized container and securely retaining the valve actuator button in the cap, said detent means and cap construction however still retaining the simplicity of the prior cap and being capable of fabrication in simple mold cavities.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cap construction in accordance with the foregoing, wherein the detent means which secures the cap to the pressurized container is extremely effective in its operation, and effects a secure locking of the cap on the container against inadvertent or accidental removal.

A further object of the invention is to provide an im 3 ,138,295 Patented June 23, 1964 proved molded plastic aerosol cap construction as above outlined, wherein the upper detent means is positive in its ized, wherein the avoidance of costly mold cavities and a difiicult-to mold cap body formation is effected by a novel offset arrangement of the upper and lower detent means, by which these are oifset both vertically and horizontally with respect to each other to avoid the necessity for retractable mold parts or cores, and to enable mold cavities of the simplest possible nature to be utilized.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved molded plastic cap construction involving a valve actuator button and a cap proper as above outlined, wherein the actuator button may be preassembled to the cap body in a simple and facile manner prior to these being assembled to the pressurized container.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a novel plastic cap construction as above set forth, wherein the attaching of the cap assemblage to the pressurized container automatically effects and places a restriction on the movements of the actuator button whereby the latter is locked in its operative position and is prevented in a positive manner from being removed at any subsequent time.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference are used to designate like components or portions throughout the several views, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in axial section, of an aerosol device having the present improved aerosol cap construction. I

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the areosol device and cap construction.

FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of the cap proper or cap member of the cap construction.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the cap of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view of the cap construction illustrating the insertion of the valve actuator button in the cap body or member.

FIG. 6 is an axial sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3, but showing a modified form of cap construction.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-5, the aerosol device and cap construction shown therein comprises a container 10, which may be of the usual pressurized type havingv a constricted neck portion 12 and shoulder-providing collar 14, the latter being so arranged as to provide a downwardly'facing annular shoulder 16. The pressurized container it) also has a depressible valve stem 18 for operating a valve and metering organization which is carried generally within the constricted neck portion 12. The container 10 has an upper peripheraledge 20 arranged to provide an annular groove or recess 22 at the base of the constricted neck portion 12.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a novel and improved molded plastic cap construction constituted essentially of two separate resilient or yieldable plastic pieces or parts 26 and 28, made from polyethylene or similar formulations. The part 26 has a tubular cap body 30 which is generally of cylindrical configuration, said body having open upper and lower ends 32 and 34 respectively.

The bottom edge 36 of the body 30 is circular and arranged to be accommodated in the annular groove or recess 22 at the top of the container 10. I

Slidably carried in the cap body 30 is the valve actuator button 28, said button having a cylindrical outer bearing surface 40 for engagement with the inner cylindrical surface of the cap body30. The valve actuator button 28 has a depending hollow boss 42 adapted to frictionally fit over the valve stem 18 as shown in FIG. 1. In its top portion the valve actuator button 40 has a somewhat V-shaped depression or recess 44 adapted to receive a finger of the hand which is holding the aerosol device, for the purpose of effecting a depressing movement of the button. Likewise, the upper adjoining wall portion of the cap 26 has a semi-circular cut-out or notch 46 corresponding to and extending flush with the finger depression 44 of the button to enable the actuating finger to be readily applied, as will be understood.

In accordance with the invention, the button 28 and the cap 26 are so constituted and arranged that each may be readily economically molded of plastic substance in simple mold cavities which are devoid of retractable parts, cores and the like, while at the same time the cap body has integral detent portions at its top and bottom for the purpose of attaching the body 30 securely to the container and for the purpose of securely retaining the actuator button 28 in the cap body. In effecting this, the body 30 is provided with a semi-circular inner detent flange 48 adapted to engage the constricted neck portion 12 of the container 10 at the underside of the annular shoulder 16, the said flange forcibly gripping the neck and retaining the cap construction in place on the container. The cap body 30 also has a second inwardly extended flange or ledge 50 disposed at a location opposite to the detent flange 48 and extending angularly upward and inward from the cylindrical side wall of the cap body. The ledge 50 is somewhat in the shape of a segment of a circle or circular disk, being defined by the circular peripheral wall of the cap body and also having aligned straight edges 52 and 54 extending along a chord. The ledge 50 has a notch or recess 56 to provide clearance for an orifice member 58 on the actuator button 28.

As seen in FIG. 4, in accordance with the present invention the lower and larger detent flange 48 is offset from the upper and smaller detent flange or ledge 50 considering the vertical, whereby neither detent flange overlaps the other in a vertical direction. By such construction it is possible readily to mold the cap part 26 as a single piece in simple cavities without the use of draw pins, retractable plungers or similar mold parts. Instead, with the present construction, the cap part 26 may be easily and economically molded with the flanges 48 and 50 constituting integral parts of the cylindrical body 30. From FIG. 4 it will be observed that the lower internal detent flange 48 extends through an are which is appreciably greater than 180 whereby it may be securely attached to the constricted neck portion 12, 14 of the container 10. Such attachment may be readily effected by merely press ing the cap part 26 in place on the top of the container, to the position shown in FIG. 1. Prior to such attachment it is preferred to assemble the valve actuator button 28 to the cap, and the procedure for such assembly is illustrated in FIG. 5. It is here seen that the button 28 is in a tilted position, and that the resilient nature of the plastic substance from which the cap and button are molded is such that the upper portion of the cap may be bent outward slightly and the lower portion of the button correspondingly bent inward slightly to enable the button to be pulled into the cap body to the operative position shown in FIG. 1. The upper detent flange or ledge 50, engages a sloping front surface or face 62 provided on the button 28 and closely fits the same when the button is in its normal raised position.

After the button has been inserted in the cap proper in the aforesaid manner, the assemblage is applied to the container with the valve stem 18 extending into the depending boss 42 of the button. As the assemblage is pressed downward on the container 10, the lower detent flange 48 will be forced into place around the constricted neck portions 12, 14 of the container and will securely hold the assemblage in place against inadvertent or accidental dislodgment or removal. In operation, the valve actuator button 28 is merely depressed to effect opening of the valve and discharge of the contents of the pressurized container 10.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this figure there is shown a modified cap structure 26a having an upper ledge formation 50a similar to the ledge 50 shown in FIGS. 1-5. At its lower portion, the cap body 30a has an integral semi-circular inwardly extended detent ledge or flange 48a which has a somewhat conical formation. That is, the ledge 48a not only extends inward from the cylindrical side wall 30a but also in an upward direction as illustrated. When the cap part 26a is applied to the container 10 as explained above in connection with the cap part 26, the detent flange 48a will more easily pass over the collar portion 14 of the neck due to the angularity or slope of the flange. However, if a removing force should be applied to the cap 260, the angularity of the flange 48a will cause it to more securely grip the constricted neck portion 12, 14, thereby enabling it to stoutly resist removal of the cap and button assemblage. The molding of the cap part 26a may be effected in the same simple and facile manner that characterizes the molding of the cap 26.

It will now be seen from the foregoing that I have provided an improved cap construction for an aerosol device wherein the cap proper or cap body has inwardly extended detent flanges which are both horizontally and vertically offset from each other in such a manner that they may be formed as an integral part of the cap body without requiring complicated mold cavities. The lower detent means securely retains the cap assemblage on the pressurized container, whereas the upper detent means securely retains the actuator button in the cap body. The engagement of the valve stem 18 and boss 42 prevents any possible tilting of the button whereby removal of the same is prevented.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. An aerosol cap construction comprising, in combination:

(a) a molded, one-piece tubular cap body having open bottom and top ends and having within each of said ends a different core space adapted to be formed by separate core portions of different parts of the molds,

(b) said body in its upper portion having bearing means for guiding a depressible valve actuator button,

(0) the upper portion of the body having a ledge extending inward from the side walls at a location disposed at one side of the body axis, said ledge constituting one of the borders of the core space at the top end of the body and having an undersurface which is fully accessible from the core space at the bottom end of the body whereby said surface may be formed by a core portion extending into the body from the open bottom end thereof,

(d) said body at its lower portion having an inwardly extending detent flange disposed at a location on the opposite side of the body axis,

(e) said detent flange being substantially semi-circular and extending through an arc of more than and constituting one of the borders of the core space at the bottom end of the body, said flange having an upper surface which is fully accessible from the core space at the top end of the body whereby said surface may be formed by a separate core portion extending into the body from the open top end thereof,

(1) the said ledge and flange being offset vertically with respect to each other, thereby to enable the cap body to be readily molded in simple cavities having fixed cores, without requiring retractable cavity parts.

2. An aerosol cap construction as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the said detent flange is dished and constituted essentially as a portion of a conical section.

3. An aerosol cap construction as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the said ledge comprises a minor segment of a circle bounded by a portion of the periphery and a chord subtending said periphery'portion.

4. An aerosol cap construction as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the ends of the said detent flange are disposed substantially vertically below the inner edge of the said ledge whereby no overlap exists between the ledge and flange, considering a vertical direction.

5. An aerosol cap construction as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the said ledge extends angularly upward from the periphery of the cap body in a direction toward the body axis, and

(b) the outer surface of the ledge is visible at the front side of the cap body and constitutes an upward continuation of the said front side.

6. An aerosol cap construction as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) there is a valve actuator button vertically movable in the cap body, and

(b) said actuator button has a portion disposed below the said ledge and has another portion disposed above the said detent flange.

7. An aerosol cap construction as in claim 6, wherein:

(a) the said ledge extends angularly upward from the periphery of the cap body in a direction toward the I body axis, and

(b) the actuator button has a sloping top surface disposed below and engageable with the said ledge.

8. An aerosol cap construction as in claim 7,,wherein:

(a) the upper portion of the cap body at a location opposite to the ledge is cut away to provide clearance for insertion of the actuator button.

Fooshee Nov. 10, 1953 Johnson et a1 Apr. 19, 1955 

1. AN AEROSOL CAP CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A MOLDED, ONE-PIECE TUBULAR CAP BODY HAVING OPEN BOTTOM AND TOP ENDS AND HAVING WITHIN EACH OF SAID ENDS A DIFFERENT CORE SPACE ADAPTED TO BE FORMED BY SEPARATE CORE PORTIONS OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE MOLDS, (B) SAID BODY IN ITS UPPER PORTION HAVING BEARING MEANS FOR GUIDING A DEPRESSIBLE VALVE ACTUATOR BUTTON, (C) THE UPPER PORTION OF THE BODY HAVING A LEDGE EXTENDING INWARD FROM THE SIDE WALLS AT A LOCATION DISPOSED AT ONE SIDE OF THE BODY AXIS, SAID LEDGE CONSTITUTING ONE OF THE BORDERS OF THE CORE SPACE AT THE TOP END OF THE BODY AND HAVING AN UNDERSURFACE WHICH IS FULLY ACCESSIBLE FROM THE CORE SPACE AT THE BOTTOM END OF THE BODY WHEREBY SAID SURFACE MAY BE FORMED BY A CORE PORTION EXTENDING INTO THE BODY FROM THE OPEN BOTTOM END THEREOF, (D) SAID BODY AT ITS LOWER PORTION HAVING AN INWARDLY EXTENDING DETENT FLANGE DISPOSED AT A LOCATION ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE BODY AXIS, (E) SAID DETENT FLANGE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY SEMI-CIRCULAR AND EXTENDING THROUGH AN ARC OF MORE THAN 180*, AND CONSTITUTING ONE OF THE BORDERS OF THE CORE SPACE AT THE BOTTOM END OF THE BODY, SAID FLANGE HAVING AN UPPER SURFACE WHICH IS FULLY ACCESSIBLE FROM THE CORE SPACE AT THE TOP END OF THE BODY WHEREBY SAID SURFACE MAY BE FORMED BY A SEPARATE CORE PORTION EXTENDING INTO THE BODY FROM THE OPEN TOP END THEREOF, (F) THE SAID LEDGE AND FLANGE BEING OFFSET VERTICALLY WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, THEREBY TO ENABLE THE CAP BODY TO BE READILY MOLDED IN SIMPLE CAVITIES HAVING FIXED CORES, WITHOUT REQUIRING RETRACTABLE CAVITY PARTS. 